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East Midlands Ambulance Service: Bosses scrap super-hub plans East Midlands Ambulance Service: Bosses scrap super-hub plans
(about 17 hours later)
Ambulance managers in the East Midlands are holding their first meeting after deciding to scrap an ambitious plan for a series of regional super-hubs. Ambulance managers in the East Midlands have decided to scrap an ambitious plan for a series of regional super-hubs.
In March, East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) "paused" a move to sell off more than half its stations, and the plan has now been dropped. In March, East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) "paused" a move to sell off more than half its stations, but that plan has now been dropped.
Unions and some local residents had protested against the proposals.Unions and some local residents had protested against the proposals.
The earlier plan also envisioned a series of community stations shared with fire or police services.The earlier plan also envisioned a series of community stations shared with fire or police services.
The regional ambulance service, which covers Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire, currently has 67 ambulance stations, but four are vacant.The regional ambulance service, which covers Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire, currently has 67 ambulance stations, but four are vacant.
The EMAS board is meeting to discuss the future of the ambulance service's estates and will announce a timetable for a new strategy. The EMAS board said it would develop a new strategy for the ambulance service's estates.
Rob Sissons, Health Correspondent Rob Sissons
BBC East Midlands Today BBC Health Correspondent, East Midlands
East Midlands Ambulance Service has more than 60 stations which are valued at £45m. East Midlands Ambulance Service has more than 60 stations, which are valued at £45m.
The original vision to sell off around half the ambulance stations caused public outcry and was likened by some to selling off the family silver.The original vision to sell off around half the ambulance stations caused public outcry and was likened by some to selling off the family silver.
Of course you can only do that once.Of course you can only do that once.
The EMAS bosses thought that selling off sites could bring in rich pickings but there were protests, petitions and even a parliamentary debate. Bosses thought that selling off sites could bring in rich pickings but there were protests, petitions and even a Parliamentary debate.
Now we are told the financial case for going to fewer bigger stations simply doesn't add up. Now we are told the financial case for going to fewer, bigger stations simply doesn't add up.
This is a case of "back to the drawing board" and a new vision should be ready by March.This is a case of "back to the drawing board" and a new vision should be ready by March.
Some stations are already up for sale with offers in excess of £650,000 for the West Bridgford station.Some stations are already up for sale with offers in excess of £650,000 for the West Bridgford station.
In future I'd expect more ambulance closures but it will be a more phased plan which might take some of the political heat out of the move.In future I'd expect more ambulance closures but it will be a more phased plan which might take some of the political heat out of the move.
You could call it "evolution" rather than "revolution". You could call it evolution rather than revolution.
The report said: "The (previous) hub-and-spoke model consisted of the establishment of 108 community ambulance stations which would facilitate more bases for staff to stop off at whilst they were away from their main base." The earlier plan, announced in 2012, was scrapped because of vocal opposition as well as the high implementation costs.
But that earlier plan, announced in 2012, was scrapped because of vocal opposition as well as the high implementation costs.
The report now calls on the ambulance service to "review and update the existing estate to address major issues" but still includes plans for a series of local community ambulance stations.The report now calls on the ambulance service to "review and update the existing estate to address major issues" but still includes plans for a series of local community ambulance stations.
EMAS said it would also consult "partners and stakeholders" and listen to their feedback.EMAS said it would also consult "partners and stakeholders" and listen to their feedback.